TVA Pioneers Energy Efficiency Planning Model

The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit coalition advocating for enhanced energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, recognized TVA’s dedication to reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency with major award.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016—As many Americans grow more and more aware of their environmental footprint and look for ways to maximize their energy use, TVA created a way to help make this a reality. The Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit coalition advocating for enhanced energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, recognized TVA with its Power Generation and Supply Award for the agency's cutting edge modeling efforts that allow EE and renewables to compete on even standing with coal, nuclear and natural gas.

The award recognizes TVA’s efforts to include energy efficiency in its long-term strategic planning efforts in the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) adopted by the TVA board last year. Unique to this IRP is placing energy efficiency on an equal playing field with traditional energy generating resources. TVA was one of the first in the nation to successfully create a model and other utilities are currently studying it in order to potentially replicate it.

True to its mission of service, TVA believes that supporting energy efficiency is the right thing to do because it helps consumers save money, keeps the environment cleaner and makes power prices more competitive. In fact last year, in partnership with the local power companies we serve, TVA saved enough energy to power 26,581 homes, invested $68 million in energy efficiency improvements and provided $38 million in incentives for Valley homeowners, local power companies, businesses and industries.

TVA’s balanced portfolio, including energy efficiency, has helped to reduce emissions across the Valley. For example, when compared to 2005 levels, CO2 emissions from TVA’s generating facilities are down 34 percent, and are expected to drop an additional six percent by 2020. To see how other emission levels have dropped, click here.

TVA is building a “virtual power plant” that demonstrates the importance of energy efficiency and how it is an integral part of the future generation portfolio. Everyone can take steps to bring a little energy efficiency into their lives. For some ways to get started or take your efficiency to the next level, visit www.energyright.com.

Integrated Resource Plan

TVA’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a power planning roadmap to 2033 examining a variety of economic, regulatory and market-driven scenarios and strategies to help TVA respond to changing energy demands while continuing to provide reliable power at the lowest possible cost. Click here to learn more about the IRP.